The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-03-11
Teachers Association.
Communicated.

Seventh and Eight districts met in Port
Deposit on Saturday March 5th 1887.
The Association was called to order at
2p M. by the President, Mr.. F. S. Everist
in the chair. Minutes of the preceding
meeting were read and approved. The Sec
retary stating that there had been no meet
ing in February because of the ice gorge
The attendance was very small. Many
of the teachers sent their regrets and said
that the bad condition of the roads render
ed their presence thing almost impossible
Mr.. Coae testified to the truthfulness of
their statement and as his evidence was
altogether voluntary we judge 1t must be
correct.
The select reader and essayist were not
present. Misses Josephine R. Evans, Kate
Hurlock and Belle Stewart sent in salts
factory solutions, or demonstrations of the
problems referred to them. Miss Annie
Quin solved her problem in manner sat
isfactory to the Association.
Mr.. Squier who came in late said that he
regretted that he had neglected 70 bring
with him an article which he had read in "a
review. He gave US the substance of tn e
article which was on the subject, ''What
Should Teachers read" 1t agreed with
his own ideas on the subject and was to the
effect that teachers should not read entirel Y
within the limited circle of their own pro-
fessions and said that the majority of the
SO called books upon the theory of teaching
were the merest bosh and that to under
stand how to improve the mind one mus,
understand the development of the mind
He said further that the only way of mem
orizing he had ever found available was
repetition. Mr.. Squier was frequently in
terrupted in the course of his remarks by
questions of various kinds asked by Messrs
Coale, Tammany and Crothers. 1t would
remind one of the Congress Hall during
the discussion of a great question of Ma
tlonal interest. We mean in the frequency
not in the weight of the objections raised.
Mr.. Coale's took the shape of quite logi-
il
set forth the necessity of teachers readi ng
within their professions and the utter
fOolishness of boring Teachers Associa-
tion with matters foreign TO their taste and
business.
Mr.. Tammany made some forcible points
on the subject but was frequently inter.
rupted by Mr.. Coale TO whom he eventually
submitted the floor. Mr.. Coale drew a
vivid contrast between good common sense
and book knowledge spicing his argument
ing favor of common sense with some anus
ing anecdotes embracing in their scope the
tariff, and Iowa Prohibition law.
The question "When to commence the
study of English Composition in the School.
and how to teach it?' was discussed b,
Messrs Rowland Watts, S. J. Tammany
and w. Coale. All seem to favor COM
mencing upon simple subjects early il
school life and continuing as long as thu
child attends school.
The following is the programme for tn,
April meeting: Select readers, Miss Emm;
Brown and Miss Reba Buckley; essayis,
James NJ. H. Rowland. We expect Mad
emosele Vlslere of Cedar Hill Ladie
Seminary who will favor us upon that oc
casion with some readings. AS this vii
not be MIdemoiseles first visit to our AS
sociation it would appear superAuou
for US to say it would be well worth whil
for the teachers to be present. Miss Mag
gle Fisher and the Misses Ball of the Sem
mary will sing trio, and Miss Hines wi
favor us and we hope to have some other
also.
Mr.. w. E. Coale has kindly volunteer
ed to deliver lecture before our societ,
His subject is abraham Lincoln, H
Life and Character" We understand h
will treat especially the sunny side of h
character. To those acquainted Wit
Mr.. Coale's happy style of treating sue
subjects it is unnecessary to extend furtht
invitation to be present.
Question for discussion: Is Teaching
Profession? If SO what course of readir
should a teacher pursue to perfect himse
in his profession. Disputants, Messrs. y
ID McNamee, V. II. Watts. S. j. Tammar